The Autobiography of William Sanders Scarborough: An American Journey from Slavery to Scholarship

African American Life

by William Sanders Scarborough, Michele Valerie Ronnick (Editor), Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Foreword)

"If W.E.B Du Bois, the antecedent of today's black public intellectuals, himself has an antecedent, it is W. S. Scarborough, the black scholar's scholar." – Henry Louis Gates Jr.
This illuminating autobiography traces Scarborough's path out of slavery in Macon, Georgia, to a prolific scholarly career that culminated with his presidency of Wilberforce University. Despite the racism he met as he struggled to establish a place in higher education for African Americans, Scarborough was an exemplary scholar, particularly in the field of classical studies. He was the first African American member of the Modern Language Association, a forty-four-year member of the American Philological Association, and a true champion of higher education. Scarborough advocated the reading, writing, and teaching of liberal arts at a time when illiteracy was rampant due to slavery's legacy, white supremacists were dismissing the intellectual capability of blacks, and Booker T. Washington was urging African Americans to focus on industrial skills and training.

The Autobiography of William Sanders Scarborough is a valuable historical record of the life and work of a pioneer who helped formalize the intellectual tradition of the black scholar. Michele Valerie Ronnick contextualizes Scarborough's narrative through extensive notes and by exploring a wide variety of sources such as census records, church registries, period newspapers, and military and university records. This book is indispensable to anyone interested in the history of intellectual endeavor in America, Africana studies and classical studies, in particular, as well as those familiar with the associations and institutions that welcomed and valued Scarborough.

Genres: Biography, History, Memoir, Autobiography

448 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2004

Reviews

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

-

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography of a fascinating person, William Sanders Scarborough, born enslaved in Georgia, witness as a youth to the Civil War and the defeat of the Confederacy (he saw Jefferson Davis being escorted under guard after the war), went on to become a prominent Classicist, preparing his own introductory textbook to Ancient Greek. His intellectual successes continued to bring him admiration and fame, political connections (mostly within the Republican party, which was, of course, at that time more allied to the interests of African-Americans), position within his church and as president of a University, etc. He witnessed the first World War, and its aftermath. An incredible life!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look into the life of one of the forgotten names of early America. The life of William Sanders Scarborough was so interesting to read. At a time when slavery still existed in our country, William Scarborough was able to become one of the top scholars, and the first African American scholar of the Classics. It is sad that it took so long for me to discover the contemporary of W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglass because his story is no less inspiring or important to the canon of late 1800s America. I learned so much.

Admittedly it took me so long to get through this because I kept having to stop and look up who he was talking about or the events taking place but for anyone interested in American history should read this.

[Sean Tandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing work of scholarship by the editor to piece together this autobiography that didn’t see publication upon its completion. While Scarborough is probably not going to win anyone over in style and is a bit overly interested in administrative details, this is an important and interesting book. Born in slavery to later become the first African-American member of the MLA, a renowned Classicist, and Ohio political figure, he lived a long and interesting life and there’s a lot to enjoy for people interested in the late 19th-early 20th century, education, Classical scholarship in America, or Africana studies.

[Patricia Joynton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book some time ago, but still remember it. Was reminded of it with all the publicity about racism... He was a slave from Georgia who became president of Wilberforce University. How? That's the story, and what an interesting one. Takes place in the 1800's. He was a Greek and Latin scholar among other things. Changes your mind about the intelligence of the "colored race," as they were referred to then. Also, an incredible story about overcoming major challenges. Makes me think "it's all possible."

[Kristin]

This took me a long time -- but Scarborough's life is well worth the investment.